Porch Pirate Caught On Camera, Arrested In Myrtle Creek - 03/31/26

ROSEBURG, Ore. – A Myrtle Creek man who was caught on home surveillance committing a package theft was arrested at his home Monday evening.

On Monday, March 30, 2026, a homeowner in the 100-block of Othello Avenue in the Green District of Roseburg reported the theft of a package from his front porch. The victim’s home surveillance system, which had recently installed, captured the incident. While conducting follow-up on the video surveillance and other evidence obtained, deputies were able to identify the suspect and determine his home address.

When deputies arrived at the suspect’s Myrtle Creek home, they located the stolen item. Ultimately, 45-year-old James Eli Ferch was taken into custody and lodged at the Douglas County Jail for Theft in the Second Degree and a Parole Violation. The stolen item was returned to the victim.

Roseburg Man Charged With Murder Of 11-Month-Old Son - 03/16/26

***UPDATED. The spelling of the victim's name has been corrected to reflect his legal name and spelling. No other updates at this time. 

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. – A Roseburg man is in custody tonight charged with the murder of his 11-month-old son.

On Sunday, March 15, 2026, shortly before 10:00 a.m., a 9-1-1 call was placed by 27-year-old Jared Scott Jeremy Stoller of Roseburg. Stoller reported to dispatchers that his 11-month-old son, Jackson James Stoller, was missing from his hotel room at the Relax Inn in Sutherlin, Oregon. Sutherlin Police Officers responded to the call and determined there to be suspicious circumstances involved. The Douglas County Major Crimes Team was activated to assist in the investigation.

Stoller was interviewed by detectives from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and eventually confessed that he had murdered Jackson days earlier at a location in Roseburg. Stoller told detectives that he had disposed of the child’s body in the South Umpqua River.

Divers from the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, assisted by boats from the Oregon State Police and Douglas County, located Jackson's body just before 6:00 p.m. in the river near the 3500-block of Old Melrose Road. His body was turned over to the care of the Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office. An autopsy is expected to take place in the coming days.

Detectives arrested Stoller and lodged him in the Douglas County Jail on the following charges:

• Murder in the First Degree
• Abuse of a Corpse in the First Degree

The Douglas County Major Crimes Team is continuing to investigate the homicide. The Sheriff’s Office has been assigned as the lead investigating agency. The Major Crimes Team consists of investigators from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department, and Oregon State Police working in consultation with the Douglas County District Attorney's Office.

Additional assistance was received from Douglas County Search and Rescue, Sutherlin Police Department, Winston Police Department, Myrtle Creek Police Department, and the Oregon Department of Human Services – Child Welfare Division.

The investigation remains ongoing, and no additional details are expected to be released at this time. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact investigators at 541-440-4471 referencing Case #26-0836.

Deputies Capture Man Who Fled Custody During Warrant Arrest - 03/14/26

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m., a deputy with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office contacted a male in the woods in the area known as Long’s Ranch near Melqua Road who had an established a camp. After a records check, the deputy took the male, 28-year-old Robert Emilo Macias, a transient, into custody on an active warrant for Sex Abuse in the Third Degree.

While the deputy was attempting to place Macias in the back seat of a patrol vehicle, Macias pushed past the deputy and fled on foot down an embankment while still in handcuffs. The deputy gave chase but eventually lost sight of Macias and requested assistance from additional units and a K9 team to search the area. An extensive search of the area continued throughout the afternoon and into the evening, prompting notification to residents within a four-mile radius.

At approximately 7:50 p.m., Macias was located in the 6400 block of Hubbard Creek Road, nearly three miles from the initial location. He was still wearing the deputy’s handcuffs. Deputies learned that during the time he had fled, Macias retrieved firearms he had previously stashed in the woods.

Deputies took Macias back into custody without further incident. He was transported to the Douglas County Jail and lodged on the following charges:

• Warrant – Sex Abuse in the Third Degree
• Escape in the Second Degree
• Resisting Arrest
• Theft in the Third Degree

Public Meeting Notice: Dog Control Advisory Board - 03/11/26

ROSEBURG, Ore. - The Douglas County Dog Control Advisory Board will hold a meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse, Room 216, located at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue, Roseburg, Oregon 97470.

The agenda meeting agenda can be located at: www.dcso.com/dogboard. 

To view the live stream or post-meeting recording, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/@douglascountyoregongov

In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to submit public comment related to specific agenda items. Members of the public who wish to comment can do so: (1) In person, (2) by submitting via email at kaylee.tucker@douglascountyor.gov or (3) by virtual format via Microsoft Teams Meeting ID: 231 251 615 228 (Passcode: md3oF6dW)

As part of public policy, Douglas County will attempt to provide public accessibility to services, programs, and activities. If accommodation is needed to participate at this meeting, please contact Kaylee Tucker (541) 440-4449 or by email at kaylee.tucker@douglascountyor.gov at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.

Drain Man Killed In Single-Vehicle Crash Near Yoncalla - 03/08/26

YONCALLA, Ore. - A Drain man died in a single-vehicle crash Friday afternoon near Yoncalla. 

Shortly after 2:45 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026, 9-1-1 dispatchers received a report of a vehicle crash in the 10000 block of Elkhead Road. The crash had been discovered by a FedEx driver who alerted the homeowner. 

Deputies, along with fire and EMS personnel, responded to the scene. The first arriving deputy discovered a white 2009 Kia Rio in a field approximately 200 feet from the roadway. The driver, identified as 33-year-old Nicholas Rex Snyder of Drain, had been ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The crash remains under investigation at this time. Anyone with information or knowledge of events leading up to the crash is encouraged to contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at (541) 440-4471 referencing case #26-0726.

The Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by North Douglas Fire & EMS, the Douglas County Medical Examiner's Office, and Lougheads Towing. 

Next of kin notifications have been made.